Inside Unmanned Systems provides actionable business intelligence to decision-makers and influencers operating within the global UAS community. Features include analysis of key technologies, policy/regulatory developments and new product design.
Issue link: https://insideunmanned.epubxp.com/i/470284
10 unmanned systems inside Spring 2014 THE PENTAGON'S MOST CREATIVE RESEARCH AGENCY is seeking its second round of propos- als for a system of deep sea devices that can lie dormant on the sea floor for years and then be triggered from a distance to deploy payloads in- cluding air and ocean drones. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, is asking for designs for its Upward Falling Payloads (UFP) Program. The goal is to ease the expense and complexity of maintaining a global navy by seeding the seas in advance with less expensive equipment that can be activated as needed. The protective contain- ers or 'nodes' are to be concealed on the ocean floor in forward areas. They must be able to rise to the surface ("fall upward") on command and deliver "a wide range of unmanned and distrib- uted systems to the sub-surface, surface, and air," according to the request for bids. The underwater portion of the system has to be able to survive depths of more than 6 km, last up to 5 years, and be operational no more than two hours after being directed to surface from the seafloor. The contents of the bottom-dwell- ing storage lockers will be non-lethal, according to DARPA but their capabilities are being kept close to the vest by program managers. This is actually the second phase of the program. During the first phase, which be- gan last year, more than 10 study and design teams worked to determine payload missions, approaches for long-range communications, deep-ocean high-pressure containment, and techniques for payload launch. The agency now wants proposals in two areas: 1) the develop- ment and demonstration of the storage node and the 'riser' or surfacing system and 2) the design and development of the communication technology. Integrating the two will take place in Phase 3, which potential prime contractors can include in their Phase 2 proposals if they wish. Teams pursuing the contract are to demon- strate their systems in 2016. The proposals are due on May 21. Informa- tion is available at https://www.fbo.gov/inde x?s=opportunity&mode;=form&tab;=core&i; d=ec3d907c7841aba864bfa7f83f777bbe&_ cview=0. DARPA seeks bids for 'upward falling payloads' project training and certification for the crew members and pilots of un- manned aircraft. Officials plan to select a "geo- graphically disbursed consor- tium" of universities and private and public-sector affiliates based in part on the applicant's exist- ing transportation program and research resources. They will also weigh the projects the ap- plicants propose and their abil- ity to provide leadership and disseminate research results. The FAA will provide matching grants to help the winning team conduct certain projects and may also contract with the cen- ter's members for direct support. The center will enable research institutions other than those selected as FAA test ranges last year to "contribute to the FAA's UAS research and development efforts," the agency told Inside Unmanned Systems. The agency said, however, it "is not preclud- ing the Test Sites from compet- ing on this effort." Officials plan to announce their choice by the end of next year. The meeting will be held May 28-29 and will be open to the public on a first-come basis until all slots are filled. Those want- ing to attend, however, must submit an online application for registration by May 22. A link to the form can be found in the up- per right corner of the Web page at https://faa-uas-coe.net. This artist's concept shows a potential communications application of an upward falling payload. NEWS BRIEFS Continued from p. 8